The following is part of an announcement issued today, July 14, 2026, by the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

Adolescent & Young Adult Health
Chapter Champion
Recruitment Deadline: September 1, 2026

Position Description

Position: Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Health Chapter Champion
Purpose:
The chapter champion is a subject matter expert on adolescent & young adult (AYA) health. The chapter champion will work closely with the AAP chapter and AAP National to achieve specific, measurable goals, including:
    • Coordinate information sharing and shared advocacy efforts on adolescent and young adult health issues.
    • Create a lasting network for collaboration and professional connections across chapters.

Recruitment

The chapter executive director is asked to identify a maximum of 1 chapter champion per chapter by Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Chapter champion contact information should be provided to Karen Smith, Senior Manager, Adolescent Health Services.

The chapter may request assistance from AAP National in identifying a chapter champion or decline participating in this chapter champion program by contacting Karen Smith, Senior Manager, Adolescent Health Services.

The chapter champion must be a member of both AAP National and their AAP chapter, and ideally a member of the national AAP Council on Adolescents and Young Adults (CoAYA). Exceptions may be made if an individual is not eligible for AAP National and/or AAP chapter membership. The exception must be mutually agreed upon by AAP National and the AAP chapter. Note, the individual may not have access to resources if they are behind a member login wall.

AAP National is currently recruiting for all AAP chapters.

Roles and Responsibilities

Chapter Champion:
  • Roles and Responsibilities:
    • Share information about the chapter’s AYA health activities, initiatives, projects, or advocacy efforts.
    • Coordinate shared advocacy efforts on adolescent and young adult health issues.
    • Participate in a virtual AYA Health Summit to facilitate ongoing education and knowledge-sharing.
  • Meetings: Participate in quarterly (or otherwise scheduled) 1-hour virtual meetings and, if interested, attend CoAYA-related activities and engagements as opportunities arise.
  • Term: Each chapter champion term is 2 years, with the possibility of renewal for a subsequent term. The term will begin on January 1 of the first year and December 31 of the second year.
  • Who are my current Chapter Champions? See instructions (AAP login required) on how to view and export a roster of your chapter’s Chapter Champions in the new Chapter Management System (access may be restricted to certain users)
Chapter:
    • Recruit the Adolescent & Young Adult Health Chapter Champion.
    • Facilitate knowledge transfer between chapter leaders and the Adolescent & Young Adult Health Chapter Champion.

AAP National Staff Support

AAP National staff will:
      • Share information about AAP National’s AYA health activities, initiatives, projects, or advocacy efforts.
      • Coordinate shared advocacy efforts on adolescent and young adult health issues.
      • Schedule meetings of the Adolescent & Young Adult Health Chapter Champions.
      • Organize and facilitate a virtual AYA Health Summit to facilitate ongoing education and knowledge-sharing.

Learn more about all active Chapter Champion programs on the Chapter and District Leadership collaboration site (AAP login required; access may be restricted to certain users).

AAP National Staff Contact:
Questions can be directed to Karen Smith, Senior Manager, Adolescent Health Services.